Joshua Bamiloye, son of renowned Nigerian evangelists Mike and Gloria Bamiloye, recently criticized Peter Obi’s remarks on church vigils, sparking intense debate online.
Obi, speaking on the Honest Bunch Podcast, suggested that Nigeria would benefit more from productivity-driven night shifts rather than traditional church vigils, which he implied contributed to poverty.
He advocated for fewer night gatherings at churches, calling instead for a national shift toward night work to boost productivity.
Responding on social media platform X, Bamiloye firmly rejected Obi’s views, arguing they misrepresent the nation’s deeper issues.
He claimed that the politician’s focus on religious gatherings was misplaced and overlooked more pressing systemic factors stifling Nigeria’s productivity.
Bamiloye’s stance resonated with many who saw Obi’s comments as a critique of deeply-rooted religious practices.
This exchange has highlighted a growing conversation around the intersection of faith and socioeconomic progress in Nigeria.
According to Bamiloye, singling out vigils—a practice often reserved for Friday nights, just before the weekend—makes little sense in a nation beset by challenges that reach far beyond the walls of the church.
He challenged Obi, asking why churchgoers were being blamed for economic setbacks, while other gatherings like concerts, comedy shows, and nightlife events remained untouched in his critique.
He wrote;
“So now vigils are the reason Nigeria isn’t productive? Boy, the mentality of blaming church attendance for Nigeria’s problems is a very misguided one and, at best, an insult.
“Vigils are commonly held on Fridays, right before the weekend. If we want to be productive, why not also ban recreational events, comedy shows, concerts—in fact, ban every social gathering.
“The hot weather seems to have corroded some minds to the point that they fail to think clearly and address the real problems”
